What Is A Standby Generator?
Even highly developed countries like the United States aren’t immune to power outages. There are around 3.5 million Americans who lose power every week. It is common for households to experience around five outages per year. How long the outages last will depend on the underlying reason and the utility companies’ agility. Most homeowners can’t do anything but wait for the power to come back. Others help themselves by purchasing a standby generator. If you are unfamiliar with this, read on to find the answer to the question: “What is a standby generator?”
What Is A Standby Generator?
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Standby generators work when a home loses power. Having one in your home will allow you to live normal lives despite having blackouts. There are also large generators for industrial and commercial use. The generator’s weight and size allow them to settle in one area, typically on a concrete pad on the home’s or facility’s exterior. They are meant to work as a backup in case of natural disaster or grid failure and not as a continuous primary source of power. They can operate for days when needed.
How Does a Backup Generator Work?
Fuel is necessary for whole-house generators to operate. Most utilize natural gas or propane. These machines convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, with the generator size determining its output. Determine how much wattage your home requires based on your home appliances. HVAC systems tend to have the biggest amount of energy consumption. Consult a professional generator installation company to help you select and connect the on-demand generator to the wiring system of your home.
What to Expect Out of a Whole-House Generator
Here are a few things you can expect from a whole-house generator:
Automatic Blackout Detection
Whole-house generators can be paired with an automatic transfer switch. This will allow the generator to detect a blackout and start automatically when it occurs. The switch will activate the power transfer in seconds. This is an essential feature as power outages mean that you are left confused in the dark. It might not be possible to go outside and manually turn on the generator during a storm as well. Automatic detection will help save you from the hassle and restore power immediately.
Adequate Energy for the Entire Household
A whole-house generator can supply power to all appliances in a home, unlike small portable ones. You don’t have to hesitate on switching on all the lights, and you can watch TV as long as you like. You do not have to think twice about using your air conditioner or other power-hungry appliance as well.
On-demand Fuel for Nonstop Operation
You don’t need to store fuel at home because the generator fuel can come from the gas lines. A lot of homes have propane tanks, which can supply power to your generator. If you use natural gas, you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel as long as the gas lines are working as they should. The generator will use as much fuel as it needs during its operation.
Resistance Against Corrosion
Generators are highly durable. Most have warranties that will last for several years, so homeowners can be confident in buying them. If you are concerned about corrosion, look into stainless steel generators as they offer better longevity than carbon steel and aluminum.
Substantial Noise Emission
People should expect substantial noise from standby generators as they are machines made of multiple moving components. Therefore, they must be placed in the right location with respect to the house. A stable foundation is needed to minimize vibration. They should also be placed far from bedrooms to allow the occupants to sleep well at night.
The Benefits of Having a Standby Generator
A few of the advantages a standby generator has to offer include:
Continuous Household Comfort
Frequent power outages and inclement weather can cause discomfort. You’ll end up freezing in the winter and feeling the scorching heat during the hot season. The elderly and children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures in that they can become ill. A generator can help ensure that your household doesn’t have to suffer because you can use your heating and cooling system for continuous home comfort.
Prevention of Burst Pipes
Frozen pipes can expand and burst, leading to expensive repairs. Your home should be at the right temperature during the winter to prevent this from happening. Generators will help keep your home warm when the grid fails, so you don’t worry about your plumbing system.
Lighting for Safety and Security
Moving around in the dark can be a challenge. Accidents might happen. Having no lights at night can also be scary. Someone might sneak into your home without being noticed. Generators will ensure the lights remain on for your security, safety, and peace of mind.
Food Preservation
Some food, like fish and meat, tend to spoil easily unless they are kept frozen. Extended power outages mean there is a higher chance that these foods will spoil. Generators can help keep your food fresh, so you don’t have to worry about food waste.
Uninterrupted Home Office Work
It is essential to keep lights on and the computers running as more people have begun working at home. A standby generator will help in making sure you stay connected and productive. This way, remote work arrangement becomes more viable even if you live in areas with unreliable power grids.
Continuous Power To Medical Equipment
A lot of people need electricity to supply power to medical equipment. Having a standby generator will make sure that your medical equipment runs as it should, even when the power grid is down.
Conclusion
It can be a challenge to live without the comfort modern gadgets and appliances give us. Power outages can mean that you cannot do your usual routine, become vulnerable to the elements, and are left unproductive at work. A standby generator can help you whenever you need power. It will ensure your home will be back to normal immediately. All you need is to ensure you have the correct unit to fit your needs and have professional installers help you set it up.
Call Lawes Company For All Of Your Standby Generator Needs
Lawes Company is a leading generator installation service provider in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey. We provide backup generator installation and specialize in generator repair, maintenance, and replacements services. Rest assured, we only hire top-quality service contractors who are highly trained in the most advanced methods of generator techniques.
Contact us via a phone call or online today for more information on a whole-house generator installation. We offer free, in-home estimates. Call Lawes Company today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact us now at (732) 741-6300 to find out more!